Decaf coffee is not caffeine free. A 12 oz cup of decaf contains anywhere from 10-17 grams of caffeine. A 16 oz Starbucks® Grande contains 12-23 grams and a 20 oz Venti contains upwards of 28 grams! If you order a cup of decaf coffee at a coffee bar or restaurant, independent studies have shown a great variance in the amount of caffeine in the cup even on the same day from the very same place. So there is no safety in knowing how much caffeine you may get from a cup of decaf coffee.

Decaf coffee is made from highly acidic coffee beans and thus it is even harder than regular coffee on the gastrointestinal tract. If you have gastrointestinal problems or suffer from acid indigestion, you'll find that eliminating coffee from your diet, whether it is decaf or regular, will help your recovery process.

In addition, studies show that decaf raises the LDL fraction of cholesterol (commonly referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol) by 8 – 10% in only 3 months, leading to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Most decaf has been extracted using the solvent methylene chloride, a known carcinogen, which leaves behind small but significant residues that could be implicated in the development of chronic diseases. Learn more about how eliminating coffee is beneficial to your digestive health.